Job opportunities

Head of Horticulture

We are a team of people who love and look after the most amazing Sanctuary in Kent, along with the 50+ cats that call BCS home. We’re now looking for an experienced Horticulture Manager to run our Gardens department and enhance our horticultural offering.

We need someone with superb horticultural and plant knowledge to enhance and develop what we have achieved and built over the past 25 years. You will have been in a managerial/supervisory role before, and perhaps be looking for a fresh challenge and an opportunity to have real influence in a dynamic and exciting environment.

Overseeing and managing the development of plant collections/areas of planted space, horticulture and estate to support plant conservation, propagation, research, education and the enjoyment of visitors, you will work side-by-side with our directors and senior managers to help meet our charitable objectives, centred around four pillars: welfare, breeding, education, and conservation, aiming to protect and conserve wild cats globally by providing care, contributing to breeding programs, educating the public, and supporting in-situ conservation efforts.  

Responsibilities:

•        Responsible for maintaining the plant collection i.e. cultivating, propagating, pruning and landscaping, to create as near as possible natural habitats and areas of planted space across the site.

•        Carry out a range of horticultural activities in support of BCS’s charitable aims and visitor experience

•        Take responsibility for the promotion of UK native species and habitats across the Sanctuary Estate

•        Work closely with the Education Department to ensure relevant signage of plant species and aid exhibit designs; deliver horticultural-related education to people of various ages and abilities in the form of talks and presentations when required to do so

•        Collaborate with other BCS teams to deliver on-site UK biodiversity activities and develop biodiversity areas to support activities such as training, volunteering and public engagement

•        Keep abreast of the latest developments in pest control and advances in plant propagation techniques

•        Work with the Curator, Head Keeper and Senior Managers/Directors regarding the collection plan, to develop plant collections, investigating and recommending new plant species as appropriate

•        Maintain department in accordance with DEFRA Legislations

•        Monitor and keep records of plant quarantine issues and legal guidelines related to horticulture

•        Ensure compliance with all Health and Safety regulations and procedures

•        Manage volunteers within the department, review their work and ensure they are enjoying their volunteering

•        Ensure high standards of plant welfare

Requirements (Essential):

·         Horticulturally experienced, preferably in a similar role and visitor-facing setting, along with RHS level 2 in horticulture, or equivalent vocational experience

·         A leader of people, empathetic and willing to motivate and inspire your team of paid staff and regular, committed volunteers

·         Able to carry out physically demanding tasks outdoors in all weathers, on a site with mixed topography and be a proficient computer user

·         Competent in operating typical garden machinery and equipment

·         Highly organised and focused, to deliver the departmental planning, budget management and compliance, as well as support for garden events and programming

·         Possess a real creative flair for garden design and landscaping

·         Full driving license and access to own vehicle is essential as BCS is not accessible by public transport

·         In line with the requirements of the Asylum & Immigration Act 1996, all applicants must be eligible to live and work in the UK or must obtain permits to work in the UK prior to application (documented evidence of eligibility will be required from candidates as part of the recruitment process)

The position is offered on a full-time basis, 5 days per week (generally 08.00-17.00)

In return, you will receive:

·         Competitive starting salary

·         28 days holiday (including Bank Holidays), plus Christmas Day as standard

·         Full staff uniform

·         A range of staff discounts/benefit